Latch mechanism



May 12, 1964 4 Filed Dec. 14, 1962 L. R. MORPHEW LATCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet l F/GZ A 7" ORA/E75 y 12, 1954 1.. R. MORPHEW 3,132,885

. LATCH MECHANISM 'FiledDeo. 14, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

V Z/Il/RE/VCE @MORPAQFW 4 BY% W United States Patent 3,132,885 LATCH MECHANISM Laurence Richard Morphew, Harlow, Essex, England, as-

signor to Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich, a

corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 244,641 Claims priority, application Great Britain Dec. 21, 1961 8 Claims. (Cl. 292-280) This invention relates to latch mechanisms and in particular to a latch mechanism capable of retaining a sliding door in either open or closed position.

This invention particularly relates to the adaptation of the type of latch mechanism including a latch device having a toothed wheel engageable with a toothed or rack portion of a striker device, to a dual function. In such latch mechanism the latch device is adapted to free wheel in one direction but to resist rotation in the other direction unless the latch mechanism is released.

The present invention consists in a sliding door arrangement comprising such a latch mechanism mounted on the door with the axis of the latch device extending transversely to the direction of motion, and a striker device mounted on a frame structure at each end of the range of bodily movement of the latch device with the door for co-operation with the latch device, the striker devices having toothed or rack portions co-operable with the latch device toothed wheel on opposite sides of the plane traced out by the axis of the latch device during sliding movement of the door.

Thus the latch device is rotated in the same direction by each striker device and when correctly orientated will thus latch on either striker device.

Preferably each striker device also includes a female spring wedge dovetail co-operable with respective male dovetails on a base plate of the latch mechanism.

Conveniently the detent holding the latch device is releasable by push buttons or lever type handles located one on either side of the door.

It will be noticed that this type of latch mechanism can be made using standard mass production parts and thus may provide a considerable cost saving. Also it is simple and reliable.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an end view illustrating the parts of the mechanism in the door;

FIGURE 2 illustrates a detail of FIGURE 1;

FIGURES 3 and 4 are respectively side elevation and plan views showing the co-operation of the latch device toothed wheel and one striker device; and

FIGURES 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrating the operation of the other striker device.

The latch mechanism assembly 1 is mounted at the front end of the sliding door 2 with its latch device rotor or toothed wheel 3 projecting inwards towards the center line of the vehicle. A baseplate 1a of a type normally having one male dovetail 4 is extended downwards to include a second dovetail 5 set 180 distant from the first about the center of the rotor.

In the forward or shut position (see FIGURES 3 and 4) of the door the toothed wheel 3 engages with a rack portion of the front striker device 6 and female dovetail and is automatically locked by the sprung sprag action of the latch mechanism. The female spring wedge dovetail 7 receives the lower male dovetail 5 and locates the front of the door in a vertical direction to prevent rattling, also using the rubber buffer 8 as a resilient stop to further forward motion.

The front striker device 6 is mounted on a projection 9 from the front pillar 10 which may be an integral part of the front pillar.

ice,

On the rear pillar 24 (see FIGURES 5 and 6) there is a mounting 25 to which is fitted a second striker device 26 similar to the front one 6, but located in a diametrically opposite position (rotated through in relation to the rotor center).

When the door is fully opened the toothed rotor 3 on the latch mechanism 1 engages with the rack on the rear striker 26 and is automatically locked by the sprung sprag action of the latch mechanism in the same manner as at the front, with similar action of the dovetail and buffer.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 an outside handle 11 is shown mounted on the outer surface of the door and incorporates a spring loaded push button 12 attached to a plunger 13.

An inside handle 14 is mounted on the inner surface of the door and incorporates a similar push button 15 attached to a plunger 16.

Adjacent to these two plungers there is a double ended rocker arm 17 pivoted on a bracket 18 attached to the inner panel. To a lug 19 on the center of the rocker arm a connecting rod 20 is attached. This rod extends downwards and its bottom end protrudes through a hole in a lever 21 on the mechanism with an abutment washer 22 on the rod capable of transmitting downward pressure to the latch mechanism in opposition to spring 23.

To release the latch mechanism, pressure on the push button on either inside or outside handle pushes the appropriate plunger against the rocker arm and causes it to rotate to the position shown chain-dotted. This rotary movement urges the connecting rod 20 downwards and the abutment washer 22 at the bottom acting on the latch lever 21 (against the spring 23), releases the latch device 3 to permit the door to be opened or closed by pulling on either inner or outer handle, in the appropriate direction.

During the slam action of the latch and the consequent rotation of the sprung sprag 27, the motion of the lever 21 is not necessarily transmitted to the connecting rod 20 as the lever 21 can slide over the rod away from the abutment washer 22.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Thus the latch mechanism itself to be mounted on the door may be of any suitable type incorporating a toothed wheel substantially free to rotate in one direction and latched against rotation in the other direction. Also the push buttons may be replaced by lever type handles.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle body having a frame structure defining a door opening;

a door mounted for sliding movement between opened and closed positions relative to said opening;

a latch mechanism mounted on said door,

said latch mechanism comprising a rotatable latch device having its axis of rotation extending transversely to the direction of sliding motion of said door;

a striker device mounted on said frame structure at each end of the range of bodily movement of the latch device with the door,

each striker device having toothed portions co-operable with complementary toothed portions of said latch device,

said toothed portions of said striker devices lying, respectively, on opposite sides of a plane traced out by the axis of the latch device during sliding movement of the door.

2. In a vehicle body according to claim 1 in which each striker device also includes a female spring-loaded wedge dovetail co-operable with respective male dovetails on a base plate of said latch mechanism.

3. In a vehicle body according to claim 2 in which said latch device is held against rotation in one direction by a detent means,

said detent means being releasable by manually operable means located on either side of the door.

4. In a vehicle body according to claim 1 in which said latch device is held against rotation in one direction by a detent means,

said detent means being releasable from said latch device by manually operable means located on either side of the door.

5. In a vehicle body having a frame structure defining a door opening;

a door mounted for sliding movement between opened and closed positions relative to said opening;

a latch mechanism mounted on said door,

said latch mechanism comprising a rotatable latch device having its axis of rotation extending transversely to the direction of sliding motion of said door;

a striker device mounted on said frame structure at each end of the range of bodily movement of the latch device with the door,

each striker device having toothed portions co-operable with complementary toothed portions of said latch device,

said toothed portions of said striker devices lying, re-

spectively, on opposite sides of a plane traced out by the axis of the latch device during sliding movement of the door,

said latch device being rotatable in the same direction upon latching engagement with either striker device.

6. In a vehicle body according to claim 5 in which each striker device includes a female spring-loaded Wedge dovetail co-operable with respective male dovetails on a base plate of said latch mechanism.

7. In a vehicle body according to claim 6 in which said latch device is held against rotation in the opposite direction by a detent means, i

said detent means being releasable from said latch device by manually operable means located on either side of the door. 7

8. In a vehicle body according to claim 5 in which said latch device is held against rotation in the opposite direction by a detent means,

said detent means being releasable from said latch device by manually operable means located on either side of the door.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 875,747 Streng Jan. 7, 1908 1,547,210 Garrett July 28, 1925 2,530,330 Groeger Nov. 14, 1950 r 2,643,906 Way June 30, 1953 

1. IN A VEHICLE BODY HAVING A FRAME STRUCTURE DEFINING A DOOR OPENING; A DOOR MOUNTED FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT BETWEEN OPENED AND CLOSED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID OPENING; A LATCH MECHANISM COMPRISING A ROTATABLE LATCH DESAID LATCH MECHANISM COMPRISING A ROTATABLE LATCH DEVICE HAVING ITS AXIS OF ROTATION EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY TO THE DIRECTION OF SLIDING MOTION OF SAID DOOR; A STRIKER DEVICE MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE AT EACH END OF THE RANGE OF BODILY MOVEMENT OF THE LATCH DEVICE WITH THE DOOR, EACH STRIKER DEVICE HAVING TOOTHED PORTIONS CO-OPERABLE WITH COMPLENTARY TOOTHED PORTIONS OF SAID LATCH DEVICE, SAID TOOTHED PORTIONS OF SAID STRIKER DEVICES LYING, RESPECTIVELY, ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A PLANE TRACED OUT BY THE AXIS OF THE LATCH DEVICE DURING SLIDING MOVEMENT OF THE DOOR. 